1st Cross Border Children’s Disability Groups Cycling Initiative

Former Irish Taoiseach and one of the chief negotiators of “The Good Friday Agreement” Mr Bertie Ahern, has launched Ireland’s first All Island Disability Cycling Initiative for children with disabilities.

Supported by the Department of Foreign Affairs “Shared Island Fund”, 12 children’s disability groups from both sides of the border of Northern Ireland came together for the first time in The Omagh Memorial Park, Omagh, Co Tyrone. Here, individual disability groups each were presented with a special mobility trike by Mr Ahern on behalf of Variety – the Children’s Charity of Ireland.

Mr Ahearn addressed the audience of the benefits of Variety Ireland’s “All Ireland Disability Cycling Partnerships” which encourages disability groups to meet up for cycling days in each other’s local area.

Variety – the Children’s Charity of Ireland’s “All Ireland Disability Cycling Partnerships” saw 6 special disability groups from Co Leitrim, Co Cavan, Co Meath, Co Donegal, Co Monaghan and Co Louth meet up with fellow disability groups from Co Tyrone, Co Antrim, Co Fermanagh, Co Derry/Londonderry, Co Armagh, Co Down in Northern Ireland with each group being presented with a special mobility trike worth €4800.

This programme which is the first of its kind to be ever introduced as a cross border initiative for children with disabilities, allows schools/disability groups with children with disabilities to create new cross border relationships where they can now meet up together with their children so they can enjoy cycling activities together, both sides of the border of Ireland.

Variety Ireland’s “All Ireland Disability Cycling Partnerships” is designed to break down barriers within communities and unite children’s disability groups both north and south of Ireland.

Speaking at the event, Mr Ahern commented “This new cross border cycling programme by Variety – the Children’s Charity of Ireland is a fantastic initiative which now provides children’s disability groups from various backgrounds both north and south of the border of Northern Ireland the opportunity to visit each other and develop new relationships. Not only does their special mobility trikes support inclusion and equal access to cycling for children with disabilities which is good for their physical and mental well-being, but it also creates a new network for these groups to interact and develop long term relationships between themselves. This helps to promote greater understanding and reconciliation between families with children with disabilities from various backgrounds living in the north of Ireland and southern border counties. It’s simply fantastic. Great credit must go to the team of Variety – the Children’s Charity of Ireland who for 70 years, continue to carry out tremendous work in helping children with disabilities across the island of Ireland. Recognition and thanks must also go to the team at The Department of Foreign Affairs “Shared Island Fund” for supporting Variety with this vital initiative which brings communities with children with disabilities together both sides of the border of Northern Ireland.”

Chief Executive Officer at Variety – the Children’s Charity of Ireland Mr Derek O’Neill commented “This is a proud day for us here at the charity to be able to launch yet another programme that is going to benefit children and families within the disability communities. Our “All Ireland Disability Cycling Partnerships” is a great way to connect disability groups from various communities both sides of the border of Northern Ireland. Before now, these groups would have never had any real reason to socially engage with each other. Now that they are part of our network and each have a special mobility trike, they can enjoy cycling activities within their own community and visit other disability groups. It is so encouraging to see these groups already organising days out together in 2025 where they intend to travel and meet up in each of their local communities with their wonderful children for great cycling days out. Our charity would also like to express our sincere thanks to Mr Bertie Ahern for his continued support down through the years and let’s not forget the vital role he personally played helping to establish long term peace and reconciliation between communities both sides of the border of Northern Ireland. Thanks to Mr Ahern and all other groups involved in The Good Friday Agreement we wouldn’t be here today launching our All-Ireland Disability Cycling Partnerships. Our charity would also like to thank The Department of Foreign Affairs “Shared Island Fund” for supporting our initiative. They do fabulous work which helps to supports programmes like our “All-Ireland Disability Cycling Partnerships” which is going to have a massive impact in developing new cross border relationships for groups with disabilities. Our charity team will be working hard to expand this programme to other disability groups in 2025.”

Schools/Groups with children with disabilities who are part of our All-Ireland Disability Cycling Partnerships and received a special mobility trike are:

1. Wilkinstown Disability Group,Co Meath
2. SNAP Disability Group, Co Armagh
3. Roche Emmets Disability Group, Co Louth
4. Flemming Fulton School, Co Antrim
5. Downright Brilliant School, Co Down
6. St Patricks Primary School, Co Tyrone
7. The Holy Family School, Co Cavan
8. Rossmar School, Co Derry / Londonderry
9. St Bernadette’s School, Co Donegal
10. Errigal Truagh Special Needs Group, Co Monaghan
11. St Patricks School, Co Leitrim
12. Willowbridge School, Co Fermanagh

Variety – the Children’s Charity of Ireland would like to thank Mr Bertie Ahern, The Department of Foreign Affairs “Shared Island Fund” and all the wonderful disability groups who turned up in Omagh to receive their trikes. Our “All Ireland Disability Cycling Partnership” is designed to unite disability groups from both sides of the border of Northern Ireland so they can develop new relationships while enjoying great cycling days together.

If you are a disability group within this region and would like to be part of this programme then we would like to hear from you, so please get in touch!